Page 101 of Rhymes with Metaphor
“Thanks so much, Reg.”
“Right.”Reg disconnected the call.
“He proposed to her, didn’t he?”said Joel.
“Not yet.”
Martin’s call had killed the mood for both of them.
Reg sighed.“I don’t have any food in.We can go out for a meal, if you’re hungry.”
“Can we order in?And order groceries?”
“If you like.But we can’t hide away from the world indefinitely, cariad.I have to defend tomorrow, and we’ll need to go out and order a bed and mattress for your room.Why don’t we do that now?”
Reg took Joel to the furniture shop that had sold him his own bedroom set and helped Joel pick out a bed and mattress.
“Stop looking at the prices, cariad,” said Reg.“Pick the one you like best.”
After Joel chose his bed—and in a gratifyingly short time, since he knew exactly what he wanted—Reg sent him to look at the antiques on the second floor while he paid and made arrangements for the delivery.Afterwards, they made their way to the underground parkade.
“When we get home, you can order linens and charge them to my card,” said Reg.“And we’ll have a clear-out to make room for your things in my office.”
“I don’t have anything.Just my laptop and clothes.My textbooks are at Juliet’s, but I’m going to sell them.”
“I hope you’ll be getting rid of those scrubs too.I’ll take you out later and get you fitted for a new wardrobe.”
They arrived at the car and got in.Joel was quiet.
“What’s wrong?”Reg put his arm around Joel.
“Don’t you want me to sleep with you?”said Joel.
“Of course I do, cariad.You don’t think I’ve gone off you because we’re not in England anymore?”
“Why do I need my own bed, then?”
“It would set my mind at rest if I knew you were sleeping with me every night because you want to, not because you have to.”Reg moved close and kissed him.Joel kissed him back, tentatively at first, then letting his guard down as his need grew.
“Your car’s bigger than the one in England,” said Joel.
“It’s still not big enough to fuck in.”
“You tried it with Flip?”
“You’ve seen Flip.He’s enormous, so no.”
At Joel’s insistence, they got takeout at Tim Hortons on the way home.
“I missed real donuts,” said Joel.
In the loft, Joel sat on the settee and placed his food on the coffee table.Reg sat beside him.
Joel ate his sandwich.His chewing slowed, then stopped.He was staring at the wall, fixedly.Reg followed his gaze and saw the sketch of Flip’s hand hanging there.
“Do I remind you of him?”said Joel.
“Not at all.You wouldn’t intentionally hurt someone to get what you wanted.He would.”
